CFT members find success advocating at the State Capitol this summer
This summer CFT members have been busy at the State Capitol building, advocating for key legislation to improve public education in California. Included among them was Oranit Limmaneeprasert from the Los Rios Federation of Teachers, who testified in support of CFT-sponsored AB 811 (Fong) before the Senate Education Committee. If enacted, AB 811 would allow students more options to repeat courses in California’s community colleges.
CFT Council of Classified Employees President Carl Williams, BFT Vice President Regina Chagolla, and Jefferson AFT Federation of Teachers member Kevin Tan all testified in front of Senate committees on AB 938 (Muratsuchi), key legislation sponsored by CFT that would increase funding for TK-12 schools with the goal of increasing salaries by 50% for both certificated and classified staff.
And finally, CFT President Jeff Freitas testified in support of AB 5 (Zbur) in front of the Senate Education committee. AB 5 is a timely bill sponsored by CFT that would require professional development for secondary K-12 educators focused on providing safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students.
Thanks to all who testified for their great work! We are happy to report that all three bills were passed out of their respective committees on to the next step in the legislative process.
Check out this video of some of the powerful testimony. And for more on our priorities in Sacramento this year, see our latest legislative update.
Upcoming citizenship clinic for lawful permanent residents August 12 in Los Angeles
With the lead of Executive Vice President Juan Ramirez, CFT is proud to co-sponsor an upcoming free citizenship clinic and community fair in Los Angeles on August 12. Open to lawful permanent residents, the clinic will include assistance filling out the N-400 citizenship application, individual consultation with immigration lawyers, and study materials for the citizenship exam.
All applicants are required to attend a pre-screening in advance of the training, either on July 26 at the LA County Federation of Labor from 5:00-8:00 p.m., or on July 29 at the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles church from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For more information, click here.
Pictured above: ERFT President Lilia Carreon takes part in a pre-screening meeting last week.
Congratulations to Part Time Faculty United at College of the Canyons
A shout out to the members of Part Time Faculty United at College of the Canyons, AFT Local 6262. They recently ratified a new two year collective bargaining agreement with the largest two-year salary increase in the union’s history.
For details, and to offer your congratulations, retweet AFT 6262 on Twitter.
It is a summer of solidarity! Workers across the state are on strike for the future of their jobs and their professions. From writers and actors, to hotel workers and healthcare workers, there are picket lines in action up and down the state.
So grab your sign and your walking shoes and join one near you. And make sure to share your photos with CFT across social channels by tagging @cftunion.
Full details here.
